There’s never been another player quite like Rickey Henderson.
Baseball’s all-time leader in stolen bases, runs scored, and leadoff home runs, Rickey brought unmatched swagger and electricity to the diamond. He wasn’t just fast—he changed the game.
And his cards? Just like his playing style—iconic, bold, and always in motion. From vintage rookies to rare ’90s parallels, there’s a little something for every collector in the Rickey Henderson catalog.
Here’s a look at 10 of the best Rickey cards to chase.
Ten Great Rickey Henderson Cards
1981 Donruss Rickey Henderson #119
This one obviously doesn’t get the same hype as his rookie year Topps card, but it’s still a gem in its own right.
Part of the inaugural Donruss baseball set, this card features Rickey early in his career, fresh off a rookie campaign where he shattered the stolen base record.
The design is basic, with that early-’80s charm. The set is infamous for printing errors, but Henderson’s card remained error-free; However, quality control was rough—centering and print flaws are common.
Still, it’s a must-have for completists and a solid early-career piece for any Henderson fan.
1982 Granny Goose Rickey Henderson #35
This one’s a regional oddball classic.
Distributed with Granny Goose Potato Chips in the Oakland area, the 1982 card features Rickey during his base-stealing prime, and it’s grown in popularity in recent times due to its rarity and nostalgic appeal.
It’s a true collector’s card—hard to find in good condition and packed with local history. If you’re building a serious Henderson collection, this one’s a sleeper that stands out.
1992 Donruss Elite Legend Series Rickey Henderson
This one has 7,500 numbered copies, and while that might sound high today, back in the early ’90s it would’ve been considered premium.
The ‘92 Donruss Legend Series card has a metallic, etched look and that bold serial number stamp that collectors loved at the time.
The exciting, shiny design evokes big nostalgia for anyone collecting back then—it’s a piece of early ‘90s hobby innovation and a must-have for Henderson collectors.
1981 Topps Rickey Henderson #261
Topps’ second-year card of Rickey Henderson is overshadowed by the first-year card, obviously, but it still has a place in any Henderson collection—especially given what he did in 1980 and beyond.
It features a fantastic shot of Rickey up close. He was already stealing headlines—and bases—by the time this came out.
Affordable and nostalgic, it’s a perfect mid-tier addition to a Rickey run.
1999 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Rickey Henderson #122
Now we’re getting into serious grail territory.
The ’99 Metal Universe PMG of Rickey is numbered to just 50, and it features that explosive foil design that defined the late-’90s insert boom. It’s loud, electric, and ultra-rare—just like Rickey himself.
These PMGs are among the most coveted parallels across all sports, and Rickey’s is near impossible to find, especially in high grade.
One of his most valuable and visually stunning cards ever made, and a tougher chase than most on this list.
1999 Skybox Premium Star Rubies Rickey Henderson #182
Another ultra-tough parallel from the same year, the Star Rubies line brought shimmer, scarcity, and status.
Rickey’s card is numbered to just 50 copies and features a stunning red foil overlay on a Skybox Premium design that already had a slick, futuristic feel.
It’s a rare gem from the twilight of his career and proves that even late in the game, Rickey cards could still bring serious heat.
1979 TCMA Ogden A’s Rickey Henderson #9
Before he broke records in the big leagues, Henderson was already making noise in the minors.
This 1979 Ogden A’s card was part of a minor league team set and is one of his earliest appearances on cardboard. The design is minimal, but that image of a young Rickey in his pre-MLB days carries major historical weight.
It’s very condition-sensitive, incredibly hard to find, and an essential piece of Henderson’s pre-rookie legacy.
1977 Chong Modesto A’s Rickey Henderson #5
Here’s the very beginning of Rickey’s cardboard legacy.
Another minor league card, and the earliest one. Part of a regional team set from Modesto, this card is ultra-rare and steeped in minor league nostalgia.
It’s not flashy—but it doesn’t need to be. You might even notice the spelling of his first name missing the ‘e’.
This is where Rickey’s cardboard journey began, and for serious collectors, it’s a white whale. It’s a card that’s been reprinted many times since the original, including by Chong themselves, so it’s safer to stick to authenticated copies.
1993 Topps Finest Refractor Rickey Henderson #86
Back to the ‘90s now, and to one of the most iconic baseball card parallels ever issued. You can’t talk about ’90s baseball cards without mentioning Topps Finest Refractors—and Rickey’s card from the original 1993 release is a beauty.
Unnumbered but extremely limited, these cards were the hobby’s first real chrome-style parallels. Rickey’s version features a dynamic image with full-on shine, and it remains one of the most sought-after refractors from the set.
Tough to find, especially in gem mint condition, and a key card from the most important modern insert set of the era.
1980 Topps Rickey Henderson #482
For anyone who knows baseball cards, it’ll come as no surprise to see this one in top spot.
Rickey’s 1980 Topps rookie card is one of the most iconic RCs of the postwar era. That green and yellow A’s color scheme, the base-stealing legend in a posed shot—it’s simple, timeless, and instantly recognizable.
Condition is everything here—centering issues and print defects are common. Copies in the highest grade are the most valuable sports cards of the 1980s.
If you collect Rickey, this is where you begin.
BONUS: Modern High-End Patch & Autograph Cards
Collectors aren’t limited to cards from only his playing days.
Rickey has stayed active in the hobby, featuring in a range of modern releases like Topps Dynasty, Panini Flawless, and Topps Tier One for example, which often include on-card autographs and memorabilia patches.
On-card Rickey Henderson autographs can be a difficult pursuit. During his playing days, he was included in only a handful of certified autograph appearances, with none of those being hard-signed autographs—these modern masterpieces offer a premium way to celebrate one of the greatest to ever do it.
